Display apparatus

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, a display apparatus includes a flat type display panel and a housing which houses the panel. The panel has two opposite edges and two supporting portions integrally mounted on the two edges. Each supporting portion is mounted on each edge over 70% of the length thereof. The housing has two fixing portions each of which supports and fixes the whole of each supporting portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromprior Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-361999, filed Dec. 15, 2005,the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

One embodiment of this invention relates to a display apparatuscomprising a flat type display panel and a housing which houses thedisplay panel.

2. Description of the Related Art

Such display apparatuses are widely used in portable type informationterminals. The portable type information terminal has a possibility thatit is dropped by a user. When the information terminal is dropped, largeimpact is applied to the terminal.

If the size of an image display surface on the display panel of theterminal is small, the surface bears such impact. However, the size ofthe surface on the display panel of the terminal becomes lager, a bendof the display surface in a direction which crosses the display surface,caused by the impact applied on the display surface in the direction,becomes larger, and the display surface tends to be broken more easilyby this bend.

As the portable type information terminal comprising the flat typedisplay panel having such a large outer size, for example a note booktype personal computer is well known.

JP-A 2001-183634 (KOKAI) discloses a display apparatus in which a flattype display panel is supported by a housing with a cushion.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of this invention, a display apparatus comprisesa flat type display panel including an image display surface, twoopposite edges, and two supporting portions integrally mounted on thetwo edges, each supporting portion being mounted on each edge over 70%of the length thereof; and a housing including two fixing portions, eachfixing portion supporting the whole of each supporting portion in adisplay surface looking direction and fixing the each supporting portionthereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an exemplary displayapparatus according to a first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a flat type displaypanel of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a main body of ahousing of the apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing a back surface of amask of the housing of the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view with a vertical section,schematically showing a state in which the whole of one supportingportion of the display panel is supported and fixed by one first fixingportion of the housing main body and one second fixing portion of themask, in the apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view with a vertical section,schematically showing a part of an exemplary display apparatus accordingto a second embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view with a vertical section,schematically showing a part of an exemplary display apparatus accordingto a third embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view with a vertical section,schematically showing a part of an exemplary display apparatus accordingto a fourth embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view with a vertical section,schematically showing a part of an exemplary display apparatus accordingto a fifth embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic exploded perspective view of an exemplary displayapparatus according to a sixth embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic exploded perspective view of an exemplary displayapparatus according to a seventh embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view of an exemplary flat type display panelused in each of the exemplary display apparatuses of this invention, inwhich a length L1 of one of two edges of the display panel and a lengthL2 of a supporting portion mounted on the one edge are shown;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view schematically showing a combination of aconventional flat type display panel and a conventional housing mainbody;

FIG. 15 is a chart showing a result of an analysis, in which a change ofa stress generated in each of the two supporting portions of theconvention display panel shown in FIG. 14 in accordance with a lapse oftime when a predetermined impact is applied on the display surface ofthe conventional display panel in a direction perpendicular to thedisplay surface is analyzed by a finite element method; and

FIG. 16 is a chart showing a result of an analysis, in which a maximumprincipal component of stress generated in each of the two supportingportions of the conventional display surface when the predeterminedimpact is applied on the conventional display surface in the directionperpendicular to the display surface is analyzed by the finite elementmethod in each of cases where a ratio of L2 to L1 shown in FIG. 13 isset to 1.0, 0.8, 0.6, and 0.4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION First Embodiment

At first, an exemplary display apparatus 10 according to a firstembodiment of this invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1to 6.

FIG. 1 schematically shows an appearance of the display apparatus 10.The apparatus 10 comprises a flat type display panel 12 and a housing14. The display panel 12 includes an image display surface 12 a, a backsurface opposing to the display surface 12 a, and a periphery connectingthe back surface and the display surface 12 a with each other. And, thehousing 14 covers the display panel 12 excluding a picture encircled bya predetermined circumferential portion on the display surface 12 a.

As the flat type display panel 12, a liquid crystal display panel, aplasma display panel, and the like are well known. And, the displaypanel 12 has a square shape in a plan view, and the display surface 12 ais mainly formed of glass.

The housing 14 includes a housing main body 14 a and a mask 14 b. Thehousing main body 14 a covers the back surface and periphery of thedisplay panel 12. And, the mask 14 b covers the predeterminedcircumferential portion on the display surface 12 a.

FIG. 2 schematically shows an appearance of the display panel 12. Theperiphery of the display panel 12 includes two edges 12 b, 12 c crossinga display surface looking direction to which the display surface 12 alooks and looking to opposite directions. A supporting portion 12 d isintegrally mounted on each of the edges 12 b, 12 c, and the supportingportion 12 d extends continuously over the whole of each of the edges 12b, 12 c.

The supporting portion 12 d is formed of metal or hard synthetic resin,and is fixed by a well known fixing means such as an adhesive to aregion neighboring to each of the two edges 12 b, 12 c on the peripheralportion of the display surface 12 a. The supporting portion 12 d expandsoutward from each of the edges 12 b, 12 c between the display surface 12a and the back surface and in parallel to the display surface 12 a.

In this embodiment, a positioning/fixing hole 12 e is formed in each ofthe both end regions of the supporting portion 12 d in an extendingdirection of the edge 12 b or 12 c corresponding thereto.

FIG. 3 schematically shows an appearance of the housing main body 14 a.The housing main body 14 a includes a bottom surface 14 c which facesthe back surface of the display panel 12, and two first fixing portions14 d which are integrally mounted on the bottom surface 14 c. Each firstfixing portion 14 d extends in a direction in which each supportingportion 12 d extends. A top surface of each first fixing portion 14 d isflat and faces a back surface of the supporting portion 12 d on each ofthe edges 12 b, 12 c, the back surface looking to a direction to whichthe back surface of the display panel 12 looks.

In this embodiment, each first fixing portion 14 d is integrally formedwith the housing main body 14 a with the same material as that of thehousing main body 14 a, and the material is hard synthetic resin orlight metal such as a magnesium alloy.

A positioning/fixing hole 14 e is formed in each of the both end regionsof the top surface of the first fixing portion 14 d in an extendingdirection of the supporting portion 12 d on the edge 12 b or 12 ccorresponding thereto.

FIG. 4 schematically shows an appearance of the back surface 14 f of themask 14 b. The back surface 14 f covers the predeterminedcircumferential portion on the display surface 12 a of the display panel12, and two second fixing portions 14 g are integrally mounted on theback surface 14 f. Each second fixing portion 14 g extends in adirection in which each supporting portion 12 d extends. A top surfaceof each second fixing portion 14 g is flat and faces a front surface ofthe supporting portion 12 d on each of the edges 12 b, 12 c, the frontsurface looking to a direction to which the display surface 12 a looks.

In this embodiment, each second fixing portion 14 g is integrally formedwith the mask 14 b with the same material as that of the mask 14 b, andthe material is hard synthetic resin or light metal such as a magnesiumalloy.

Next, an assembling of the display apparatus 10 will be explained withreference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

The back surfaces of the two supporting portions 12 d on the two edges12 b, 12 c of the display panel 12 are placed on the flat top surfacesof the two first fixing portions 14 d on the bottom surface 14 c of thehousing main body 14 a. Next, positioning/fixing screws 16 are insertedinto the positioning/fixing holes 12 e of the both end regions of eachsupporting portion 12 d on each of the edges 12 b, 12 c, and further thepositioning/fixing screws 16 are screwed into the positioning/fixingholes 14 e of the both end regions of each flat top surface of each ofthe first fixing portions 14 d. As a result, the whole of the backsurface of each supporting portion 12 d is in contact with the flat topsurface of each first fixing portion 14 f closely, so that eachsupporting portion 12 d is supported and fixed on each first fixingportion 14 f in the direction to which the display surface 12 a looks.

Further, the mask 14 b is placed on the predetermined circumferentialportion of the display surface 12 a of the display panel 12. At thistime, the flat top surface of each second fixing portion 14 g on theback surface of the mask 14 b is in contact with the whole of the frontsurface of each supporting portion 12 d on the display panel 12.

In order to make these contacts being more closely, two indents areformed in the both end regions of the flat top surface of each secondfixing portion 14 g on the back surface of the mask 14 b to receive theheads of the two positioning/fixing screws 16 inserted into the twopositioning/fixing holes 12 e in the both end regions of each supportingportion 12 d.

In order to obtain the same technical advantage as described above, inplace of forming the indents, spot facings may be formed around thepositioning/fixing holes 12 e in the both end regions of each supportingportion 12 d to receive the heads of the two positioning/fixing screws16 inserted into the two positioning/fixing holes 12 e in the both endregions of each supporting portion 12 d and not to make the headsproject outward from the front surface of each supporting portion 12 d.

Next, the mask 14 b is detachably fixed to the housing main body 14 a bywell known fixing means (not shown) such as, for example a fixing screwor a snap connection using an elasticity of the material forming one orboth of the mask 14 b and the housing main body 14 a.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the flat top surface of each firstfixing portion 14 d of the housing main body 14 a and the flat topsurface of each second fixing portion 14 g of the mask 14 b are closelyin contact with the wholes of the front and back surfaces of eachsupporting portion 12 d of the display panel 12 to sandwich and supportthem.

Since the display apparatus 10 is structured as described above, even ifthe display apparatus 10 is dropped and large impact force is applied tothe apparatus 10 in a direction crossing the display surface 12 a of thedisplay panel 12, a vending of the display surface 12 a caused by thelarge impact force in the direction is effectively restrained so thatthe possibility of breakage of the display surface 12 a by its vendingis lowered largely. Further, since each supporting portion 12 a on thedisplay panel 12, each first fixing portion 14 d on the housing mainbody 14 a, and each second fixing portion 14 g on the mask 14 b aresimple in construction, a material cost and assembling cost of thedisplay apparatus 10 are not raised largely.

In this embodiment, the mask 14 b includes the second fixing portions 14g. However, in place of mounting the second fixing portions 14 g on themask 14 b, it is possible to form further plural positioning/fixingholes 14 e in the flat top surface of each first fixing portion 14 d onthe housing main body 14 a between the two positioning/fixing holes 14 eat the both end regions thereof and to form further pluralpositioning/fixing holes 12 e in each supporting portion 12 d on thedisplay panel 12 between the two positioning/fixing holes 12 e at theboth end regions thereof. In this case, each supporting portion 12 d onthe display panel 12 is fixed to each first fixing portion 14 d on thehousing main body 14 a by inserting the positioning/fixing screws 16into all of the positioning/fixing holes 12 e in each supporting portion12 d and screwing them into all of the positioning/fixing holes 14 e ofeach first fixing portion 14 d.

And, the whole of each supporting portion 12 d on the display panel 12is supported and fixed on the flat top surface of each first fixingportion 14 d on the housing main body 14 a in the direction to which thedisplay surface 12 a looks.

Further, each supporting portion 12 d on the display panel 12 may befixed on the flat top surface of each first fixing portion 14 d on thehousing main body 14 a by an adhesive. If the adhesive is used for thefixing, it is preferable that the adhesive is easily release the fixingby using releasing agent.

Further, each of the two second fixing portions 14 g on the mask 14 bmay be divided into three or more by forming slits at a plurality ofpositions in each second fixing portion 14 g in the extending directionof each supporting portion 12 d on the display panel 12.

According to an aspect of this invention, as shown by two-dots chainlines in FIG. 2, further one supporting portion 12 d or further twosupporting portions 12 d may be integrally mounted on one or both of theremaining two edges 12 f, 12 g in the periphery of the display panel 12,as the two supporting portions 12 d are integrally mounted on the twoedges 12 b, 12 c. The further one or two supporting portions 12 dcrosses or cross the display surface looking direction and the two edges12 b, 12 c.

In this case, as shown by two-dots chain lines in FIG. 3, further onefirst fixing portion 14 d or further two first fixing portions 14 d maybe integrally mounted on the bottom surface 14 c of the housing mainbody 14 a to correspond to the further one supporting portion 12 d orthe further two supporting portions 12 d on the one or both of theremaining two edges 12 f, 12 g, as the two first fixing portions 14 dare integrally mounted on the bottom surface 14 c of the housing mainbody 14 a to correspond to the two supporting portions 12 d.

Further, as shown by two-dots chain lines in FIG. 4, further one secondfixing portion 14 g or further two second fixing portions 14 g may beintegrally mounted on the back surface 14 f of the mask 14 b tocorrespond to the further one supporting portion 12 d or the further twosupporting portions 12 d on the one or both of the remaining two edges12 f, 12 g, as the two second fixing portions 14 g are integrallymounted on the back surface 14 f of the mask 14 b to correspond to thetwo supporting portions 12 d on the two edges 12 b, 12 c.

In assembling of the display apparatus 10 with reference to FIGS. 5 and6, the further one supporting portion 12 d or the further two supportingportions 12 d on the one or both of the remaining two edges 12 f, 12 gis or are fixed to the further one first fixing portion 14 d or thefurther two first fixing portions 14 d on the bottom surface 14 c of thehousing main body 14 a in the same manner, as the two supportingportions 12 d on the two edges 12 b, 12 c of the display panel 12 arefixed to the two first fixing portions 14 d on the bottom surface 14 cof the housing main body 14 a Next, the further one second fixingportion 14 g or the further two second fixing portions 14 g on the backsurface of the mask 14 b is or are came into contact with the furtherone supporting portion 12 d or the further two supporting portions 12 don the one or both of the further two edges 12 f, 12 g, as the twosecond fixing portions 14 g on the back surface of the mask 14 b arecame into contact with the two supporting portions 12 d on the two edges12 b, 12 c.

The top surface of the further one second fixing portion 14 g or that ofeach of the further two second fixing portions 14 g on the back surfaceof the mask 14 b may be provided with indentations to receive the headsof the positioning/fixing screws 16 at the both end regions of thefurther one supporting portion 12 d or at the both end regions of eachof the further two supporting portions 12 d on the display panel 12.Alternatively, spot facings may be formed around the positioning/fixingholes 12 e at the both end regions of the further one supporting portion12 d or at the both end regions of each of the further two supportingportions 12 d to receive the heads of the positioning/fixing screws 16.

Further, a plurality of further positioning/fixing holes 12 e may beformed in the further one supporting portion 12 d or each of the furthertwo supporting portions 12 d between the two positioning/fixing holes 12e at its both end regions, and a plurality of further positioning/fixingholes 14 e may be formed in the further one first fixing portion 14 d oreach of the further two first fixing portions 14 d between the twopositioning/fixing holes 14 e at its both end regions.

In this case, the whole of the further one supporting portion 12 d orthe whole of each of the further two supporting portions 12 d of thedisplay panel 12 is or are supported on the flat top surface of thefurther one first fixing portion 14 d or each of the further two firstfixing portions 14 d on the housing main body 14 a in the direction towhich the display surface 12 a looks, and is or are fixed to the flattop surface by inserting the positioning/fixing screws 16 into theplurality of further positioning/fixing holes 12 e and the both endedtwo positioning/fixing holes 12 e and by screwing them into theplurality of further positioning/fixing holes 14 e and the both endedtwo positioning/fixing holes 14 e.

The further one supporting portion 12 d or the further two supportingportions 12 d may be fixed to the further one first fixing portion 14 dor the further two first fixing portions 14 d by an adhesive.

The further one second fixing portion 14 g or each of the further twosecond fixing portions 14 g may be divided into three or more pieces byforming a plurality of slits at a plurality of positions in theextending direction of the further one supporting portion 12 d or eachof the further two supporting portions 12 d.

Second Embodiment

Next, an exemplary display apparatus 20 according to a second embodimentof this invention will be explained with reference to FIG. 7.

Most part of structural elements of the display apparatus 20 is the sameas that of the display apparatus 10. Therefore, in FIG. 7, thestructural elements of the display apparatus 20 which are the same asthose of the display apparatus 10 are designated by the same referencenumerals which designate the structural elements of the displayapparatus 10 corresponding thereto, and detailed explanations aboutthese elements will be omitted.

The display apparatus 20 is different from the display apparatus 10 inthat at least one of the edge 12 b and the supporting portion 12 dcorresponding thereto is supported by the first or second fixing portion14 d or 14 g corresponding thereto with a cushion 22, and that at leastone of the edge 12 c and the supporting portion 12 d correspondingthereto is supported by the first or second fixing portion 14 d or 14 gcorresponding thereto with the cushion 22. The cushion 22 is formed of amaterial which absorbs impact force, such as elastomer.

When impact force is applied to the display apparatus 20 in a directionalong the display surface 12 a, such the cushion 22 prevents the atleast one of the edge 12 b and the supporting portion 12 d correspondingthereto and the at least one of the edge 12 c and the supporting portion12 d corresponding thereto in the display panel 12 from being damaged bythe impact force directly transmitted to the at least one of the edge 12b and the supporting portion 12 d corresponding thereto and the at leastone of the edge 12 c and the supporting portion 12 d correspondingthereto.

Also, in the second embodiment, the further one supporting portion 12 dmay be mounted on one of the further two edges 12 f, 12 g of the displaypanel 12. In this case, the further one first fixing portion 14 d may bemounted on the housing main body 14 a to correspond to the further onesupporting portion 12 d, and the further one second fixing portion 14 gmay be mounted on the mask 14 b to correspond to the further onesupporting portion 12 d.

Even in this case, the cushion 22 may be interposed between at least oneof the further one edge 12 f or 12 g and further one supporting portion12 d corresponding thereto and at least one of the first and secondfixing portions 14 d and 14 g corresponding thereto.

Further, in the second embodiment, the further two supporting portions12 d may be mounted on the further two edges 12 f, 12 g of the displaypanel 12. In this case, the further two first fixing portions 14 d maybe mounted on the housing main body 14 a to correspond to the furthertwo supporting portions 12 d, and the further two second fixing portions14 g may be mounted on the mask 14 b to correspond to the further twosupporting portions 12 d.

In this case, the cushion 22 may be interposed between at least one ofthe further edge 12 f and further supporting portion 12 d correspondingthereto and at least one of the first and second fixing portions 14 dand 14 g corresponding thereto, and the cushion 22 may be interposedbetween at least one of the further edge 12 g and further supportingportion 12 d corresponding thereto and at least one of the first andsecond fixing portions 14 d and 14 g corresponding thereto.

Third Embodiment

Next, an exemplary display apparatus 30 according to a third embodimentof this invention will be explained with reference to FIG. 8.

Most part of structural elements of the display apparatus 30 is the sameas that of the display apparatus 10. Therefore, in FIG. 8, thestructural elements of the display apparatus 30 which are the same asthose of the display apparatus 10 are designated by the same referencenumerals which designate the structural elements of the displayapparatus 10 corresponding thereto, and detailed explanations aboutthese elements will be omitted.

The display apparatus 30 is different from the display apparatus 10 inthat the mask 14 b does not have the second fixing portions 14 b andeach supporting portion 12 d of the display panel 12 includes a flange12 h. The flange 12 h extends over the whole of each supporting portion12 d in its extending direction and projects in a direction to which thedisplay surface 12 a looks or in a direction to which the back surfaceof the display panel 12 looks.

In this embodiment, the flange 12 h is integrally formed with thesupporting portion 12 d corresponding thereto with the same material asthat of the corresponding supporting portion 12 d, and projects from thedistal end of the corresponding supporting portion 12 d in the backsurface looking direction.

The flange 12 h increases the stiffness of the corresponding supportingportion 12 d in the display surface looking direction and in the backsurface looking direction. And, when large impact force is applied tothe display apparatus 30 in a direction which crosses the displaysurface 12 a, a vending of the display surface 12 a caused by the largeimpact force in the direction is effectively restrained so that thepossibility of breakage of the display surface 12 a caused by itsvending is lowered largely.

Also, in the third embodiment, further one supporting portion 12 d maybe mounted on one of the further two edges 12 f, 12 g of the displaypanel 12. In this case, further one first fixing portion 14 d for thefurther one supporting portion 12 d may be mounted on the housing mainbody 14 a, and further one second fixing portion 14 g for the furtherone supporting portion 12 d does not be mounted on the mask 14 b.

Even in this case, the flange 12 h may be mounted on the further onesupporting portion 12 d.

Further, in the third embodiment, further two supporting portions 12 dmay be mounted on the further two edges 12 f, 12 g of the display panel12. In this case, further two first fixing portions 14 d for the furthertwo supporting portions 12 d may be mounted on the housing main body 14a, and further two second fixing portions 14 g for the further twosupporting portions 12 d does not be mounted on the mask 14 b.

In this case, the flange 12 h may be mounted on at least one of thefurther two supporting portions 12 d.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, an exemplary display apparatus 40 according to a fourth embodimentof this invention will be explained with reference to FIG. 9.

Most part of structural elements of the display apparatus 40 is the sameas that of the display apparatus 10. Therefore, in FIG. 9, thestructural elements of the display apparatus 40 which are the same asthose of the display apparatus 10 are designated by the same referencenumerals which designate the structural elements of the displayapparatus 10 corresponding thereto, and detailed explanations aboutthese elements will be omitted.

The display apparatus 40 is different from the display apparatus 10 inthat no first fixing portion 14 d is mounted on the bottom surface 14 cof the housing main body 14 a, no second fixing portion 14 g is mountedon the back surface of the mask 14 b, but two shelf type fixing portions14 h are mounted on two inner side surfaces of the housing main body 14a, the two inner side surfaces facing the two edges 12 b, 12 c of thedisplay panel 12. Each fixing portion 14 h projects from each of theinner side surfaces to be in parallel to the bottom surface 14 c andextends along each of the two edges 12 b, 12 c for the same length asthat of each of the two edges 12 b, 12 c.

A supporting portion receiving groove 14 i is formed in the fixingportion 14 h. The receiving groove 14 i has the same height as thethickness of each of the two supporting portions 12 d and extends in theextending direction of each of the two edges 12 b, 12 c Further, in thisembodiment, at least one of remaining two side walls of the housing mainbody 14 a is configured to be detachable to the other part of thehousing main body 14 a excluding the at least one of the remaining twoside walls, the remaining two side walls facing the remaining two edges12 f, 12 g of the display panel 12.

In order to fix the supporting portions 12 d of the display panel 12 tothe fixing portions 14 h of the housing main body 14 a, the detachableat least one of the remaining two side walls of the housing main body 14a is first detached from the other part of the housing main body 14 a.And then, one longitudinal end of each supporting portion 12 d isinserted into one longitudinal end of the receiving groove 14 i of eachfixing portion 14 h corresponding thereto, and each supporting portion12 d is moved in the receiving groove 14 i by reaching the onelongitudinal end of each supporting portion 12 d at the otherlongitudinal end of the corresponding receiving groove 14 i. Finally,the detachable at least one of the remaining two side walls of thehousing main body 14 a is returned to its initial position and isdetachably fixed to the other part of the housing main body 14 a.

As a result, the whole of each supporting portion 12 d of the displaypanel 12 is supported and fixed by the receiving groove 14 i of eachshelf type fixing portion 14 h of the housing main body 14 a in thedisplay surface looking direction.

Also, in this embodiment, each supporting portion 12 d of the displaypanel 12 may be positioned and fixed to each shelf type fixing portion14 h of the housing main body 14 a by at least one not shownconventional detachable fixing means such as a positioning/fixing screw.

In this embodiment, further one supporting portion 12 d may be mountedon one of the further two edges 12 f, 12 g of the display panel 12. Inthis case, further one first fixing portion 14 d for the further onesupporting portion 12 d does not be mounted on the housing main body 14a, and further one second fixing portion 14 g for the further onesupporting portion 12 d does not be mounted on the mask 14 b.

In this case, the shelf type fixing portion 14 h may be mounted on oneof the further two side surfaces of the housing main body 14 a, the oneof the further two side surfaces facing the further one supportingportion 12 d mounted on one of the further two edges 12 f, 12 g of thedisplay panel 12.

In this embodiment, further two supporting portions 12 d may be mountedon the further two edges 12 f, 12 g of the display panel 12. In thiscase, further two first fixing portions 14 d for the further twosupporting portion 12 d does not be mounted on the housing main body 14a, and further two second fixing portions 14 g for the further twosupporting portion 12 d does not be mounted on the mask 14 b.

In this case, the shelf type fixing portion 14 h may be mounted on atleast one of the further two side surfaces of the housing main body 14a, the further two side surfaces facing the further two supportingportions 12 d mounted on the further two edges 12 f, 12 g of the displaypanel 12.

Also in these cases, the further one supporting portion 12 d or each ofthe further two supporting portions 12 d may be positioned and fixed tothe further one shelf type fixing portion 14 h or each of the furthertwo shelf type fixing portions 14 h by a not shown conventionaldetachable fixing means such as a positioning/fixing screw.

Fifth Embodiment

Next, an exemplary display apparatus 50 according to a fifth embodimentof this invention will be explained with reference to FIG. 10.

Most part of structural elements of the display apparatus 50 is the sameas that of the display apparatus 10. Therefore, in FIG. 10, thestructural elements of the display apparatus 50 which are the same asthose of the display apparatus 10 are designated by the same referencenumerals which designate the structural elements of the displayapparatus 10 corresponding thereto, and detailed explanations aboutthese elements will be omitted.

The display apparatus 50 is different from the display apparatus 10 inthat no second fixing portion 14 g is mounted on the mask 14 b and anangle fixing member 14 j is mounted on each of two inner side surfacesof the housing main body 14, the two inner side surfaces facing the twosupporting portions 12 d. Each angle fixing member 14 j is in contactwith the front surface of each supporting portion 12 d to make the backsurface thereof being pressed on the flat top surface of each firstfixing portion 14 g of the housing main body 14 d.

The angle fixing portion 14 j is detachably fixed to each of the twoinner side surfaces of the housing main body 14 a by not shownconventional fixing means such as a fixing screw, or the angle fixingportion 14 j, together with each supporting portion 12 d of the displaypanel 12 corresponding thereto, is positioned and fixed to the flat topsurface of each first fixing portion 14 g by not shown conventionalpositioning/fixing means such as a positioning/fixing screw.

The angle fixing portion 14 j may be detachably fixed to each of the twoinner side surfaces of the housing main body 14 a by not shownconventional fixing means such as a fixing screw, and at the same timethe angle fixing portion 14 j, together with each supporting portion 12d of the display panel 12 corresponding thereto, may be positioned andfixed to the flat top surface of each first fixing portion 14 g by notshown conventional positioning/fixing means such as a positioning/fixingscrew.

Also, in this embodiment, further one supporting portion 12 d may bemounted on one of the further two edges 12 f, 12 g of the display panel12. In this case, further one first fixing portion 14 d for the furtherone supporting portion 12 d may be mounted on the housing main body 14a, and further one second fixing portion 14 g for the further onesupporting portion 12 d does not be mounted on the mask 14 b.

In this case, further one angle fixing portion 14 j may be mounted onfurther one inner side surface of the housing main body 14 a, thefurther one inner side surface facing the further one supporting portion12 d.

Further, in this embodiment, further two supporting portions 12 d may bemounted on the further two edges 12 f, 12 g of the display panel 12. Inthis case, further two first fixing portions 14 d for the further twosupporting portions 12 d may be mounted on the housing main body 14 a,and further two second fixing portions 14 g for the further twosupporting portions 12 d does not be mounted on the mask 14 b.

In this case, at least one angle fixing portion 14 j may be mounted onat least one of further two inner side surfaces of the housing main body14 a, the further two inner side surfaces facing the further twosupporting portions 12 d.

Sixth Embodiment

Next, an exemplary display apparatus 60 according to a sixth embodimentof this invention will be explained with reference to FIG. 11.

Most part of structural elements of the display apparatus 60 is the sameas that of the display apparatus 10. Therefore, in FIG. 11, thestructural elements of the display apparatus 60 which are the same asthose of the display apparatus 10 are designated by the same referencenumerals which designate the structural elements of the displayapparatus 10 corresponding thereto, and detailed explanations aboutthese elements will be omitted.

The display apparatus 60 is different from the display apparatus 10 inthat each of the two supporting portions 12 d on the two edges 12 b, 12c of the display panel 12 is divided into three or more pieces in thedirection in which each of the two edges 12 b, 12 c correspondingthereto extends.

Two pieces of each supporting portion 12 d positioned at the both endportions of each edge 12 b or 12 c in the extending direction thereofare positioned and fixed to the flat top surface of each first fixingportion 14 g of the housing main body 14 d by a conventionalpositioning/fixing means such as a positioning/fixing screw 16.

However, any number of pieces of each supporting portion 12 d arrangedbetween the both ended two pieces may be positioned and fixed to theflat top surface of each first fixing portion 14 g of the housing mainbody 14 d by the conventional positioning/fixing means such as thepositioning/fixing screw 16.

In either case, the whole of each supporting portion 12 d divided intothe plurality of pieces is positioned and fixed to each first fixingportion 14 g of the housing main body 14 a.

Also, in this embodiment, further one supporting portion 12 d may bemounted on one of the further two edges 12 f, 12 g of the display panel12. In this case, further one first fixing portion 14 d for the furtherone supporting portion 12 d may be mounted on the housing main body 14a, and further one second fixing portion 14 g for the further onesupporting portion 12 d may be mounted on the mask 14 b.

In this case, the further one supporting portion 12 d may be dividedinto three or more pieces in the direction along the one of the furthertwo edges 12 f, 12 g corresponding thereto, as shown by a two-dots chainline in FIG. 11.

Any number of the divided pieces of the further one supporting portion12 d may be fixed to the further one first fixing portion 14 d of thehousing main body 14 a, as any number of the divided pieces of each ofthe two supporting portions 12 d may be fixed to each of the two firstfixing portions 14 d of the housing main body 14 a.

Further, in this embodiment, further two supporting portions 12 d may bemounted on the further two edges 12 f, 12 g of the display panel 12. Inthis case, further two first fixing portions 14 d for the further twosupporting portions 12 d may be mounted on the housing main body 14 a,and further two second fixing portions 14 g for the further twosupporting portions 12 d may be mounted on the mask 14 b.

In this case, each of the further two supporting portions 12 d may bedivided into three or more pieces in the direction along each of thefurther two edges 12 f, 12 g corresponding thereto, as shown by atwo-dots chain line in FIG. 11.

Also, in this case, any number of the divided pieces of each of thefurther two supporting portions 12 d may be fixed to each of the furthertwo first fixing portions 14 d of the housing main body 14 a, as anynumber of the divided pieces of each of the two supporting portions 12 dmay be fixed to each of the two first fixing portions 14 d of thehousing main body 14 a.

Seventh Embodiment

Next, an exemplary display apparatus 70 according to a seventhembodiment of this invention will be explained with reference to FIG.12.

Most part of structural elements of the display apparatus 70 is the sameas that of the display apparatus 10. Therefore, in FIG. 12, thestructural elements of the display apparatus 70 which are the same asthose of the display apparatus 10 are designated by the same referencenumerals which designate the structural elements of the displayapparatus 10 corresponding thereto, and detailed explanations aboutthese elements will be omitted.

The display apparatus 70 is different from the display apparatus 10 inthat each of the two first fixing portions 14 d on the bottom surface 14c of the housing main body 14 a is divided into three or more pieces inthe direction along each of the two edges 12 b, 12 c correspondingthereto.

In this embodiment, each supporting portion 12 d may be positioned andfixed to the flat top surfaces of two pieces of each first fixingportion 14 d corresponding thereto and positioned at the both endportions of each first fixing portion 14 d in the extending directionthereof by a conventional positioning/fixing means such as apositioning/fixing screw 16.

Further, each supporting portion 12 d may be positioned and fixed to theflat top surfaces of any number of pieces of each first fixing portion14 d, these pieces being arranged between the both ended two pieces, bythe conventional positioning/fixing means such as the positioning/fixingscrew 16.

In either case, the whole of each supporting portion 12 d is positionedand fixed to the flat top surfaces of the divided pieces of each firstfixing portion 14 g on the housing main body 14 a.

Also, in this embodiment, further one supporting portion 12 d may bemounted on one of the further two edges 12 f, 12 g of the display panel12. In this case, further one first fixing portion 14 d for the furtherone supporting portion 12 d may be mounted on the housing main body 14a, and further one second fixing portion 14 g for the further onesupporting portion 12 d may be mounted on the mask 14 b.

In this case, the further one first fixing portion 14 d may be dividedinto three or more pieces in the direction along the one of the furthertwo edges 12 f, 12 g corresponding thereto, as shown by a two-dots chainline in FIG. 12.

Further, in this embodiment, further two supporting portions 12 d may bemounted on the further two edges 12 f, 12 g of the display panel 12. Inthis case, further two first fixing portions 14 d for the further twosupporting portions 12 d may be mounted on the housing main body 14 a,and further two second fixing portions 14 g for the further twosupporting portions 12 d may be mounted on the mask 14 b.

In this case, each of the further two first fixing portions 14 d may bedivided into three or more pieces in the direction along each of thefurther two edges 12 f, 12 g corresponding thereto, as shown by atwo-dots chain line in FIG. 12.

The further one supporting portion 12 d or each of the further twosupporting portions 12 d of the display panel 12 may be positioned andfixed to the divided pieces of the further one first fixing portion 14 dor each of the two first fixing portions 14 d, as each of the twosupporting portions 12 d on the two edges 12 b, 12 c of the displaypanel 12 is positioned and fixed to the divided pieces of each of thetwo first fixing portions 14 d of the housing main body 14 a.

Eighth Embodiment

Eighth embodiment is not shown in the attached drawings. However, inthis embodiment, the three or more divided pieces of each of the twosupporting portions 12 d on the two edges 12 b, 12 c of the displaypanel 12, which are shown in FIG. 11, are positioned and fixed to theflat top surfaces of the three or more divided pieces of each of the twofirst fixing portions 14 d, which are shown in FIG. 12, by theconventional positioning/fixing means such as the positioning/fixingscrew 16.

Naturally, the three or more divided pieces of the further onesupporting portion 12 d or each of the further two supporting portions12 d on the one or both of the further two edges 12 f, 12 g of thedisplay panel 12, which are shown by the two-dots chain lines in FIG.11, may be positioned and fixed to the flat top surfaces of the three ormore divided pieces of the further one first fixing portion 14 d or eachof the further two first fixing portions 14 d on the bottom surface 14 cof the housing main body 14 b, which are shown by the two-dots chainlines in FIG. 12, by the conventional positioning/fixing means such asthe positioning/fixing screw 16.

[Consideration about a Vending of a Prior Art and that of Each of Casesin which a Ratio of the Length of Each Supporting Portion 12 d to thatof Each of the Two Edges 12 b, 12 c of the Display Panel 12 is Changed]

Inventors of this application consider a change of a value of stress inthe supporting portion 12 d by a finite element method in each of aprior art and various cases.

In the prior art, each of the two supporting portions 12 d mounted onthe two edges 12 b, 12 c of the display panel 12 has two pieces SP atthe both ends of each of the two edges corresponding thereto, and L1/L2is set at 0.2, where L1 is the length of each of the two edges 12 b, 12c and is set to 228 mm (the actual length thereof in a flat type displaypanel) and where L2 is an amount of the length LSP of one piece SP inthe extending direction of the edge 12 b or 12 c corresponding theretoand that of the other piece SP.

In the various cases, each of the two supporting portions 12 d mountedon the two edges 12 b, 12 c is continuous and is not divided into pluralpieces, and L1/L2 is set at 1.0, 0.8, 0.6, and 0.4.

And, a predetermined impact force is applied to the display surface 12 aof the display panel in a direction crossing at right angles to thedisplay panel 12 a. Concretely, after the initial velocity of 4.4 m/secis applied to the whole of the display panel 12, the sinusoidal waveacceleration of 1 m sec is applied to each supporting portion 12 d in adirection which is opposite to the initial velocity direction so thatthe maximum value of 800 G is obtained.

FIG. 15 shows the change of a stress, generated in the two pieces SP ofeach supporting portion 12 d in accordance with a lapse of time when theabove described predetermined impact force is applied to the prior artshown in FIG. 14 in which the L1/L2 is set at 0.2, and analyzed by thefinite element method. In this case, the maximum principal component ofstress is about 2.7 kgf/mm².

FIG. 16 shows the maximum principal component of stress generated ineach supporting portion 12 d when the above described predeterminedimpact force is applied to the various cases in which L1/L2 is set at1.0, 0.8, 0.6, and 0.4.

In these cases, the value of the maximum principal component of stressis lower than about 2.7 kgf/mm² which is that in the prior art, whenL1/L2 is lower than 0.7. This means that, when L1/L2 is set to lowerthan 0.7, the possibility of breakage of the display panel 12 becomeslower than that in prior art when the same impact force is applied atright angles to each of the display panels of the prior art and variouscases.

In order to understand this invention easily, in the above describedfirst to eighth embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 12, somecombinations are explained. In one combination, the two supportingportions 12 d integrally mounted on the two edges 12 b, 12 c of thedisplay panel 12 and the two first fixing portions 14 d mounted on thebottom surface 14 c of the housing main body 14 a are basically used,and the two second fixing portions 14 g mounted on the back surface ofthe mask 14 b, the cushions 22, or the angle fixing members 14 j areadditionally used. And, in the other combination, the two supportingportions 12 d integrally mounted on the two edges 12 b, 12 c of thedisplay panel 12 and the two shelf type fixing portions 14 h of thehousing main body 14 a are used.

However, according to the other aspects of this invention, variousmodifications described in the followings can be provided.

The supporting portion 12 d can be continuously mounted on each of thetwo edges 12 b, 12 c for over 70% of the whole length of each of the twoedges, and it can be mounted on each of the two edges 12 b, 12 c with itbeing divided into three or more pieces in the extending direction ofeach edge corresponding thereto.

The shelf type fixing portion 14 h can be divided into three or morepieces in the extending direction of each edge corresponding thereto.

Further, the same structure as that of each of the first to eighthembodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 12 or the modification of each of thesupporting portion 12 d and shelf type fixing portion 14 h can benaturally mounted on the one or both of the remaining further two edgesof the display panel 12, which crosses the display surface lookingdirection and the two edges 12 b, 12 c, and on the one region or tworegions on the bottom surface 14 c of the housing main body 14 acorresponding to the one or both of the remaining further two edges oron the one inner side surface or two inner side surfaces of the housingmain body 14 a corresponding to the one or both of the remaining furthertwo edges.

The above described modification of the first embodiment shown in FIGS.1 to 6 and the above described modifications of the sixth and seventhembodiments shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 are shown by the two-dots chainlines in these figures, and these modifications are additionally androughly described in the description about the first embodimentreferring to FIGS. 1 to 6 and in the descriptions about the sixth andseventh embodiments referring to FIGS. 11 and 12.

More further, in a case in which a flat type display panel comprises apolygonal shape having five or more edges crossing the display surfacelooking direction and looking to directions which are different fromeach other, the same structure as that of each of the first to eighthembodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 12 or the modification of each of thesupporting portion 12 d and shelf type fixing portion 14 h can benaturally mounted on at least two of the five or more edges. And, theabove described same structure or the above described modification canbe naturally mounted on at least two regions on the bottom surface ofthe housing main body corresponding to the at least two of the five ormore edges. Further, the above described same structure or the abovedescribed modification can be naturally mounted on at least two innerside surfaces of the housing main body corresponding to the at least twoof the five or more edges.

The second fixing portion 14 g can be mounted on the mask 14 b tocorrespond to the supporting portion 12 d of the display panel 12.

While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, theseembodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are notintended to limit the scope of the inventions. In deed, the apparatusesdescribed herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms;furthermore various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form ofthe apparatuses described herein may be made without departing from thespirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalentsare intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall withinthe scope and spirit of the inventions.

1. A display apparatus comprising a flat type display panel including animage display surface, two opposite edges, and two supporting portionsintegrally mounted on the two edges, each supporting portion beingmounted on each edge over 70% of the length thereof; and a housingincluding two fixing portions, each fixing portion supporting the wholeof each supporting portion in a display surface looking direction andfixing the each supporting portion thereon.
 2. The apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein each supporting portion is integrally mounted on thewhole of each edge.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein atleast one of the supporting portions is divided into at least threepieces in a direction in which the edge corresponding thereto extends,and at least one of the fixing portions is divided into at least threepieces in a direction in which the edge corresponding thereto extends.4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of thesupporting portions is divided into at least three pieces in a directionin which the edge corresponding thereto extends, and each fixing portioncontinues in a direction in which the edge corresponding theretoextends.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each supportingportion continues in a direction in which the edge corresponding theretoextends, and at least one of the fixing portions is divided into atleast three pieces in a direction in which the edge correspondingthereto extends.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thedisplay panel has a back surface opposing to the display surface, eachsupporting portion has one surface looking to one of an image displaysurface looking direction and a back surface looking direction, and eachfixing portion supports the whole of the one surface of each supportingportion.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the displaypanel has a back surface opposing to the display surface, eachsupporting portion has two surfaces, one of the two surfaces looking toa display surface looking direction and the other of the two surfaceslooking to a back surface looking direction, and each fixing portionsupports the whole of each of the two surfaces of the supporting portioncorresponding thereto.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe display panel has a back surface opposing to the display surface,each supporting portion expands outward from the edge correspondingthereto between the image display surface and the back surface on thedisplay panel.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a cushionis interposed between at least one of the fixing portions of the housingand at least one of the edges and supporting portions of the displaypane corresponding thereto, and the cushion absorbs an impact forceapplied to the housing in a direction in which the display surfaceextends.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flat typedisplay panel further includes at least one edge, and at least onesupporting portion integrally mounted on the further at least one edge,and the housing further includes at least one fixing portion supportingthe whole of the further at least one supporting portion in thedirection, to which the image display surface looks, and fixing thefurther at least one supporting portion thereon.
 11. The apparatusaccording to claim 10, wherein each supporting portion is integrallymounted on the whole of each edge.
 12. The apparatus according to claim10, wherein at least one of the supporting portions is divided into atleast three pieces in a direction in which the edge correspondingthereto extends, and at least one of the fixing portions is divided intoat least three pieces in a direction in which the edge correspondingthereto extends.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein atleast one of the supporting portions is divided into at least threepieces in a direction in which the edge corresponding thereto extends,and each fixing portion continues in a direction in which the edgecorresponding thereto extends.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 10,wherein each supporting portion continues in a direction in which theedge corresponding thereto extends, and at least one of the fixingportions is divided into at least three pieces in a direction in whichthe edge corresponding thereto extends.
 15. The apparatus according toclaim 10, wherein the display panel has a back surface opposing to thedisplay surface, each supporting portion has one surface looking to oneof an image display surface looking direction and a back surface lookingdirection, and each fixing portion supports the whole of the one surfaceof each supporting portion.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 10,wherein the display panel has a back surface opposing to the displaysurface, each supporting portion has two surfaces, one of the twosurfaces looking to a display surface looking direction and the other ofthe two surfaces looking to a back surface looking direction, and eachfixing portion supports the whole of each of the two surfaces of thesupporting portion corresponding thereto.
 17. The apparatus according toclaim 10, wherein the display panel has a back surface opposing to thedisplay surface, each supporting portion expands outward from the edgecorresponding thereto between the image display surface and the backsurface on the display panel.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 10,wherein a cushion is interposed between at least one of the fixingportions of the housing and at least one of the edges and supportingportions of the display panel corresponding to the at least one fixingportion.